Blatter sees India rising to top bracket in near future

New Delhi, Apr 16 (UNI) Strongly pitching for massive corporate participation in promoting football in India, visiting FIFA President Joseph Blatter today asserted that the country has the credentials to rise to the top bracket of world football in near future.

Speaking at a function organised by the CII here, Mr Blatter, however, advised not to jump the gun and start dreaming of immediate World Cup qualification.

India should first think, he said, of hosting top level age group tornaments to build base from the grassroots before eventually taking its place in the World Cup.

''This is a long way to go, but a possible way to go. We (FIFA) will put in place a programme for four years initially, but will never stop from here,'' he said.

''India needs administrative infrastructure, physical and technical infrastructure so that football becomes a way of life.

''But for that we need economic support and corporate investment which will not be a one-way affair but a win-win situation for all.

''You (corporate houses) will not be giving only, but the investment will be an exchange. You will have the marketplace and we will have access to cash or value in kind,'' he said.

Explaining that FIFA had started several age group tournaments like the Under-17 World Cup for men and Under-20 World Cups for men and women, he said India can think of hosting one such event in the near future.

''I wonder whether AIFF will have necessary infrastructure for hosting one of these tournaments.'' He said if FIFA's rotation policy continues Asia should get the right to host 2018 tournament, and implied that if Indian football goes in the right direction, it can be a contender for that event.

Responding to Mr Blatter's call, CII vice-president Sunil Bharti Mittal promised a ''wholehearted and agressive'' particiaption by Indian corporate sector.

''Corpotate India will participate wholeheartedly and agressively in ensuring that Indian flag flies in the World Cup one day.

''India should move away from its fixation in cricket and it should become a sporting nation from being a cricketing nation,'' he said.

''On behalf of the CII and industrial houses I can say that there is very clear commitment from us and in the next few days we will see major initiatives from the Corporate sector,'' he said.

Zee group chairman Subhas Chandra also chipped in to pledge support, saying that Indian football would see participation in a big way by business houses.

''I assure you Mr President (of Corporate India's support). Most of the corporate houses I spoke to have assured me that we will put our hands together, kicked ourselves and rise to the occsaion,'' Mr Chandra said.

UNI